A Visual History of the New Zealand Parliament

Introduction to New Zealand's Political History

  • The article discusses the significance of parliamentary representation in New Zealand's political history.
  • It is authored by Chris McDowall, who reflects on the past amidst the backdrop of current political events (e.g., general elections).

Exploration of New Zealand's Electoral History

  • McDowall explores a timeline of elections starting from 1853, demonstrating how the political landscape has evolved.

Initial Research and Data Compilation

  • The author began researching to understand how the current election fits into a historical context.
  • Sources utilized: Te Ara entries, Electoral Commission results, and Wikipedia.
  • Compiled data included elections, by-elections, and party affiliation changes which led to the creation of a stream graph.

A Visual Representation of Parliamentary Changes

  • The stream graph serves to visually represent the changes in party representation from 1853 to the present.   - Color Blocks: Each block represents a political party.   - Width of Blocks: The width indicates the number of MPs each party had at that time.

Key Historical Milestones

  • 1867: Establishment of 4 Māori electorates.
  • 1893: Women gain the right to vote.
  • 1902: Parliament size fixed at 80 seats.   

Development of Political Parties in New Zealand

  • For the first 37 years, there were no formal political parties; instead, there were factions.   - 1891: Start of organized party politics with the formation of the Liberal Party.   - Political factions like the Reform Party emerged from conservative groups.
Formation and Evolution of Political Parties
  • Various Political Parties:   - Liberal Party (1891)   - Reform Party (founded in 1909)   - Labour Party formed through mergers in 1916.   - The Liberal Party evolved into the United Party (1927).   - Eventually, the Reform and United parties merged to form the National Party in the 1930s.

The Rise of Minor Political Parties

  • 1980s Onward: Changes in Political Dynamics   - Transition to a mixed-member proportional system in 1996 allowed for increased representation of smaller parties.   - Smaller parties gained seats, changing the dynamics of major parties, Labour and National.   - Social Credit Party: Gained MP representation intermittently during this period.   - Formation of NewLabour (1989) and the emergence of the Alliance and New Zealand First (1993).

Constitutional Transformation Discussions

  • In 2010, there was a meeting among iwi leaders proposing a working group for constitutional transformation.
  • Matike Mai Aotearoa: A report outlining potential pathways for constitutional development in New Zealand.   - Motivated by the need to protect Māori rights and review the Treaty of Waitangi.   - Intellectual leaders included Margaret Mutu and the late Moana Jackson.
Definition of a Constitution
  • The report defined a constitution in two ways:   - “The kaupapa or set of rules that a community sets about who can make the rules and how the people should abide by them.”   - “A code used to describe how the government will function.”
Core Values for Aotearoa's Constitution
  • Values identified through hui included:   - Tikanga: Cultural practices,   - Community: A sense of shared belonging,   - Place: Connection to land,   - Balance: Fairness among diverse groups,   - Conciliation: Diplomatic resolution mechanisms,   - Structure: Transparency in governance.
Proposed Models of Governance
  • Proposals suggested structural mechanisms that reflect both Māori sovereignty and crown authority.
  • Highlighted models for integrating tino rangatiratanga (full sovereignty) and kāwanatanga (governorship).
  • Suggested a participatory process for constitutional change, grounded in local discussions and grassroots involvement.

Recent Developments in Politics and Indigenous Rights

  • Covid-19 highlighted instances of tino rangatiratanga exemplified by Māori community leadership through local checkpoints to ensure safety during the lockdown.
  • The He Puapua report aims at implementing UNDRIP following the recommendations of Matike Mai Aotearoa but faced delays due to the government's response to the pandemic.   

Current Political Climate

  • The existing coalition government has faced criticism for perceived anti-Māori policies.
  • Calls for constitutional transformation have become urgent amidst rising awareness of colonial implications in governance.
  • The need for change is emphasized as discussions progress beyond traditional governmental structures, aiming for a constitution that reflects the values and needs of Aotearoa's diverse population.

Conclusion

  • The author concludes that constitutional transformation is essential for addressing historical injustices and building a more inclusive society in Aotearoa, emphasizing grassroots movements in the path toward reform.